PEDRO - Instead of being the Three Musketeers, they'll just be the Three Trailblazers.

Rock Hill senior basketball players Rickie McDonie, Zach Mullins and Sean Mullins all signed letters-of-intent Friday

to play for the Ohio University Southern Trailblazers and coach Ron Reed.

"These are three quality kids. They never miss anything. They're gym rats and they'll do nothing but get better," Redmen coach Marty Mills said.

"And all three have a defensive mind. They understand the ideas of defense, and they all offer something offensively. It's a great situation for all three of them."

The 6-foot-2 McDonie said he just wanted the opportunity to continue his basketball career.

"I wanted to go against a tougher challenge," McDonie said. "For me, I've got to get faster. I know I can help the team because I don't make mistakes and I'm a good rebounder."

Sean Mullins gives OUS a guard who can play the point or as the No. 2 man. He said it doesn't make that much difference to him what position he plays.

"I like the off-guard more than the point, but I just want to compete. That's the main reason I want to play college basketball," Sean Mullins said.

The 6-foot-4 Zach Mullins has the size and bulk to play around the basket, but he has a deadly shot in the 15-foot range away from the basket, too.

"I'll probably play forward, so I've got to get a lot stronger and a lot faster," Zach Mullins said. "The college game will be a faster pace than high school, so I'll have to work on playing defense."

McDonie averaged nearly 10 points a game despite missing the last six games with a broken foot and led the team in rebounding average at 5.0. Zach Mullins had 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

The 5-10 Sean Mullins scored 5.0 a game with two assists and steals a game as the Redmen finished 12-9 on the season.

"Zach gives us size which is something we've needed since I've been here," Reed said. "Sean is as tough as nails. I don't think mentally or physically there's a tougher player.

"And Rickie is going to be a swing player. He can score and rebound. He can play guard or forward."

One of the reasons Reed likes the Redmen trio is their background. Reed said playing for Mills has them prepared for the college game.

"The biggest plus they bring to us is that they've been coached. Marty teaches them the right way to play and the right way to behave. They're three guys we can count on," Reed said.

Mills said OUS is adding three quality players to the basketball program.

"Sean and Zach just grew all year long. I think their best basketball is ahead of them," Mills said. "Going into the season last year, we felt Rickie had the best potential of anyone in the league.

"But he had a bad back early before the season that bothered him, and then he broke his foot late in the year. If he gets healthy, he can play up to his capabilities."